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Alumni Association Bios

If you are interested in contacting any of the members of the Alumni Association, please send an e-mail to their address listed below. If there is no email address listed, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations and we will contact them for you: (585) 389-2472, or link to our office e-mail address: alumni@naz.edu

Alumni Association Officers 2008-2009

 

Susan Jackson Shubmehl - President

Class Year/Major

'74 English / Elementary Education

Email Address

sueshub@twcny.rr.com


Nancy Griffin Shadd - Vice President

Class Year/Major

'64 Speech Pathology

Email Address

nshadd@rochester.rr.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth Speech Assembly (Club for speech majors), Nameless Ten (singing group)
Relatives who attended Nazareth Sister: Kay Griffin Davin
Occupation/Title School Administrator (Retired)
Areas of Interest Travel, Reading, Education, Social Justice
Civic/Professional Leadership Susan B. Anthony House: Docent/Member of the Board of Trustees; President Fairport Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Favorite Naz Memory Singing in Nameless 10 - performing and making a record!
Favorite Naz Faculty Member All were excellent, like Sister Jane (Philosophy) who introduced us to environmental issues through Rachel Carson's Silent Spring.


Patricia Galindo Wilke - Alumni Trustee

Class Year/Major

'87 Business Administration

Email Address

patricia.wilkey@eds.com

   

 

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Alumni Association Board Members 2008-2009


Allison Collins

Class Year/Major

'03 English: Concentration PIPCID

Email Address

alya922@yahoo.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth WNAZ, Contributing writer in Elbowroom literary magazine
Occupation/Title Communications Specialist
Areas of Interest Traveling, Writing
Favorite Naz Memory I have so many great memories from my time at Naz, but I loved walking to the canal, hanging out in the dorms with my friends, classes outside when the weather was nice, and my amazing poetry class.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Adrielle Mitchell and the Dr. Patrick Moyer
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? Naz helped shape who I am today and when I drive to Rochester from Buffalo for meetings, I feel like I'm coming home. The Board gives me an opportunity to get involved again at Naz in hands-on way and meet many amazing alumni who are as passionate about Naz as I am.



Patty George Grabosky

Class Year/Major

'89 Business Administration

Email Address

patty@grabosky.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth Resident Assistant, Yearbook Editor, Orientation Committee
Relatives who attended Nazareth Christina George Brown '91
Occupation/Title Former Business Manager - Current Household Manager
Areas of Interest Photography, the Arts
Civic/Professional Leadership Autism Speaks Committee Member; Fairport CSE Board Member
Favorite Naz memory My greatest memories are the culmination of wonderful times spent with the great friends I made at Nazareth. Everything from mixers, Halloween parties, a trip to Quebec with the French department and air-band madness all made special because of the people the memories were created with.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member I am not much for playing favorites, especially since I had so many amazing professors: Al Cabral, Dan Strong, Gerry Zappia, Dr. April Aerni, Gary Nothnagle, Roy Stein, Len Maley, Paul Morris, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Malinak, Dr. Valentine, John Vorassi...shall I go on?
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? The Board is fun! While being directly involved in Nazareth College today, it is also a tie to the past and a connection to the college's future. I love connecting with alumni and listening to what the Nazareth experience has meant to people through the years and how it continues to evolve.

 

Linda Henehan Hanna

Class Year/Major

'83 Religious Studies with Concentration in Writing

Email Address

lhanna5@rochester.rr.com

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Lucas Hiley

Class Year/Major

'03 English Literature with Education Certification

Email address

lmhiley@naz.edu



Katie Kovar

Class Year/Major

'01 Business Administration

Email address

ktkovar@gmail.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth President of the Class of 2001, first student speaker at Commencement, Orientation Leader, CALEB
Relatives who attended Nazareth Linda McCarthy Bishop (aunt)
Occupation/Title University of Rochester Registrar's Office - Information Specialist
Areas of Interest Professionally: Higher education and alumni relations; Personally: golf, walking, backgammon, crosswords
Favorite Naz Memory Sledding down the hill near where the stadium is located now (which wasn't there when I attended) on trays from the dining hall. Getting on stage to speak at Commencement and being the first student to do so.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Gerald Zappia, School of Management
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? It's been really amazing to meet so many people from many different areas of professional and personal arenas who loved and treasured Nazareth College as much as I did. I don't know that I would have necessarily had the opportunity to work collaboratively with such a successful group of professionals had it not been for the Alumni Board. It's rewarding to know that I've also been able to give back to Nazareth and to contribute my ideas and time towards decisions that affect current and future alums.

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John O'Gorman

Class Year/Major

'85, '90G Mathematics/Education

Email address

jogorman@rochester.rr.com

 

Kathy Amato Ross

Class Year/Major

'69 History

Email address

wross1@rochester.rr.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth Resident Council Rep (Kearney dorm), Ski Club, Glee Club (four years)
Occupation/Title Social Studies Teacher, Grades 7-12 (34 years) 1969-2003 at Webster Central Schools (Schroeder Jr. High and Spry Middle School); Social Studies Tutor, Grades 7-12 from 2004-present
Areas of Interest I organized and lead the "Words of Women" book discussion group at the Barnes & Noble in Webster. I am also a docent at the Rochester Museum and Science Center and am the librarian for the Docent Association. My husband Bill and I are students of Ballroom dancing at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. I am also an event coordinator for the "Cotillion Dinner-Dance Club," a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts, and enjoy music, live theater, cross-stitching, embroidery, traveling, playing golf and watching lacrosse.
Civic/Professional leadership Representative on the Webster Teachers' Association, master teacher for several student teachers, leadership positions in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Finger Lakes Council.
Favorite Naz Memory Skiing trips with the Club, mixers, Spring weekend events, Halloween dances, performing in the Nazareth Glee Club for four years-especially the "Messiah" with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, singing "My Favorite Things" as my solo to Bishop Kearney in 1967.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Sister Jane for Philosophy, Father Shannon for Theology, Dr. Fetler for Glee Club and Dr. Mary T. Bush for History, Dr. Joyce for English
Why enjoy being a part of the Board? I love meeting alumni from different era's - it reminds me of how the college keeps itself current. It's so exciting to see how Nazareth has changed physically yet it is admirable how the philosophy and spirit of Nazareth is a constant. The college is a real force in the Rochester community and I'm so proud to be a part of it.


Cassie Janis

Class Year/Major

'06 Nursing

Email address

cjanis7@naz.edu
Student Activities while at Nazareth Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Hurricane Katrina Relief Trip
Occupation/Title Registered Nurse
Areas of Interest Spending time with family and friends
Favorite Naz Memory All of it!!!
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Dr. Maureen Friedman - Nursing
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? I love being able to stay connected with Naz and it's fun working with fellow alums and comparing stories.

 

Martha Doell Swacen

Class Year/Major

'65 Chemistry

Email address

mswacen@yahoo.com
Relatives who attended Nazareth My mother, Eileen Hayes Doell '38 (German, English Lit.), my daughter Katie Swacen Ferruzza '06 (Sociology)
Occupation/Title Secondary Science Teacher (retired)
Areas of Interest Travel, music, foreign exchange, family and friends
Civic/Professional leadership Since retirement I have been active in several areas (e.g. United Way, Women Helping Girls, Women Education Society)
Favorite Naz Memory The time my experiment with potassium permanganate blew up and disintegrated my lab coat!
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Sister Marie Augustine (Chemisty)
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? I did not live on campus so this has given me a way to re-connect and learn more about the entire school and its activities. Meeting dedicated and talented board members has been a plus!

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Carrie Adamson Morabito

Class Year/Major

'97 Speech Pathology

Email address

ubaud1@frontiernet.net 

Occupation/Title Audiologist/Doctor of Audiology and Director of Audiology Services at Advanced Hearing Services
Areas of Interest golf, cooking, cross-stitching, reading, listening to music
Civic/Professional leadership Participation in missions around the world to help people hear better, also in October 2008 I will begin providing free hearing services at St. Joseph's neighborhood with my husband Andrew.
Favorite Naz Memory When I attended Nazareth I had the opportunity to work with the Grounds and Landscape Department as my work study job - my favorite memories are of preparing the grounds for events and daily Nazareth life.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Dr. James Feuerstein
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? To be able to help cultivate the programs and events that Nazareth offers so future alumni can have as fond memories as I do.

 

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Nina Malatesta

Class Year/Major

'04 Business and Marketing Education

Email address

ninamalatesta@nothnagle.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth Equestrian Team, Equestrian Club, Orientation , Partners for Learning
Relatives who attended Nazareth Mary Kay Ross Whitbeck, Carolyn Ross Flowerday
Occupation/Title Real Estate Agent
Civic/Professional leadership Real Estate Agent - still on a learning curve.
Favorite Naz Memory Chicken Finger Subs from the Cabaret
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Dr. Susan Nowak SSJ and Dr. Barbara Francis
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? It's nice to stay in touch, give back and be reminded of my building blocks.



Dawn Powell Minemier

Class Year/Major

'92 Business Administration

Email address

dminemier@hotmail.com
Student Activities while at Nazareth Study Abroad in Rennes, France
Relatives who attended Nazareth Joyce Kozuch Brannon, Stacey Pirson Nicastro
Occupation/Title Certified Public Accountant/Audit Manager
Areas of Interest Spending as much time as I can with my beautiful little girls and husband. When I have time to myself, I enjoy reading, exercise, travel and volunteering.
Favorite Naz Memory It would have to be my entire experience with fellow Naz students in Rennes. It was amazing!
Favorite Naz Faculty Member There are too many to name one. Each of the following had a profound impact on the person I became as a result of my time at Naz: Dr. Joseph DaBoll-Lavoie, Dr. Kay Valentine and Dr. Christine Bochen.
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? I would like to give back to the place that gave me so much. I choose to participate on a Board for an organization whose cause I believe in and I believe in Nazareth! I look forward to working with people that share the same passion for Nazareth.


Joanne Zawacki Sharpe

Class Year/Major

'81 Art Education

Email address

artztudes@aol.com
Student Activities at Nazareth Freshman Class President, Class Senator - sophomore, junior and senior years, Gleaner Staff, Senator of the Year - 1981
Relatives who attended Nazareth Kevin Sharpe, Class of 2011
Occupation/Title Artist/Designer; owner of Art and Soul Studio in Fairport Village
Areas of Interest Anything creative, travel everywhere
Civic/Professional Leadership Fairport Merchants Association
Favorite Naz Memory The hospitality and madness of every Class Day.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Sister Magdalene LaRow and Ron Netsky
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? It will be an honor to be involved with Nazareth in this capacity to assure continued Alumni Relations and commitment to the mission.


Shannon Kline

Class Year/Major

'05

Email address

 


Kristin Coleman Bergholtz

Class Year/Major

'02, '04G Speech Pathology

Email address

kkcolema@naz.edu
Student Activities while at Nazareth Cheerleading, CSD Committee in the Speech Department
Relatives who attended Nazareth Valerie Poccia Bevivino (mother), Nancy Poccia Harding (aunt), Gail Occupinto Sanger (cousin)
Occupation/Title Speech Language Pathologist; CF Coordinator
Areas of Interest Reading Traveling, Scrapbooking
Civic/Professional leadership Supervisor at my agency, previous member of Junior League of Rochester, Board Member of Cued Speech Association (NCSA), continue to present and/or teach to students within the CSD Dept. at Nazareth, previous graduate student supervisor for student practicums through the CSD Dept.
Favorite Naz Memory There are too many to list; I have so many memories while at Nazareth and met so many wonderful friends that have only grown stronger over the years.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member I enjoyed many of my faculty members in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Department (especially Dr. Cathy Quenin) who have helped to shape me as a person and a professional.
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? I love Nazareth and think of this as being a way to give back as an alumnae. It's also wonderful to meet fellow alumni, share Nazareth memories and make Nazareth an even better place to be at.


Polly Bradbury

Class Year/Major

'74G Education

Email address

pollyorpwb@aol.com
Student Activities at Nazareth As a full-time teacher, I was on campus for coursework. Three children kept me busy on the family front.
Occupation/Title Retired in 1991; previously worked as a Teacher, Director of the Rochester Teacher Center, Nazareth Instructor
Areas of Interest Grandkids, travel, trends in education
Civic/Professional Leadership I have continued an active interest in Retired Teacher Units (RRTA and RTO). Special work with Books for Kids (RRTA and Court Watchers RRTA)
Favorite Naz Memory I recall how reenergizing it was to come to the Naz campus after a day of teaching.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Kay Marshman - a good mentor and friend.
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? I enjoyed the warm personal approach that Nazareth provided. Perhaps I can contribute to that in some way.


Kelly Steamer

Class Year/Major

'91 Art History

Email address

klsteamer@rochester.rr.com
Relatives who attended Nazareth Husband Marc LaSalle '91
Occupation/Title Mom - Parker (12), Sydney (4) and Austin (3); former Director of Alumni Relations at The Harley School, Rochester, N.Y.
Areas of Interest Family, skiing, running, cooking
Civic/Professional Leadership Formerly on the Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation Board
Favorite Naz Memory Driving up and then sledding down the French House hill. Revenge of the "Leaner" with Jennifer.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Dr. Adams


Rosemarie Scherer Burke

Class Year/Major

'58 Nursing

Email address

burkerm@aol.com
Occupation/Title Retired RN; Last position: Associate Chief, Nursing Services-Western New York Health Care for Veterans (VA Medical Center), Buffalo and adjunct faculty: School of Nursing, SUNY at Buffalo
Areas of Interest Multicultural education, health care, literacy, diversity, art, travel, tennis, hiking, reading and of course my family. Current volunteer activities: Adult Literacy Council of Greater Fort Erie: ESL tutor and family literacy program; Albright Knox Art Gallery: docent; Roswell Park Cancer Institute: patient advocate and "friendly visitor" for patients receiving chemotherapy.
Civic/Professional Leadership NYS Board for Nursing: Vice Chair, Chair of Professional Conduct and Nursing Practice Committees; Board of Directors, Girl Scout Council of Buffalo and Erie County: Chair, National Standards Review, Nominating and By-Law Revision Committees; SigmaThetaTau, Gamma Chapter, Scholarship Committee; in my work I provided leadership in various areas of clinical practice, administration, education and research.
Favorite Naz Memory My nursing classmates. Many are friends after 50 years.
Favorite Naz Faculty Member Sister Margaret Mary, Nursing program and Father Bill Shannon, Theology faculty.
Why do you enjoy being a part of the Board? The opportunity to work with others for the benefit and development of the College.

 

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Director of Alumni Relations

Kerry Gotham

Class Year/Major

'98, Biology

Email address

kgotham7@naz.edu

 

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Mimi Wright

Class Year/Major

'04, English

Email address

mwright7@naz.edu

 

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